If you use Google’s documents and spreadsheets, you’ll have noticed today (earlier?) that they have a facelift:
What stands out right off the bat is the standard, left-pane, folder-tree navigation. Since Google docs is a little different than just a file-system, we have not only a file tree, but various other categorizations; you can see documents by who they are shared with, by type, and so forth.
While the main differences seem to be cosmetic, there’s something to be said for a great user interface. That’s not to say that this interface is anything groundbreaking — but it’s familiar looking, which is nice, and it is extremely usable.
It’s nice just to see change, also. We’ve grown so used to seeing “BETA” slapped onto every web application that is introduced, I think we forget that beta means we should be expecting new features; i.e., that they are still working on it. Mind you, I realize that a lot of development will take place behind the GUI, but it’s cool to see some changes make it to the public face of the application once in awhile.
Honestly, the Google apps (web apps generally) have actually changed the software I use. I have NeoOffice (a mac port of OpenOffice) installed on my mac mini, but I have used it… once? For spreadsheets, written documents, I invariably use the Google apps. I used to use 37Signals Writeboard, but Google won me over by having both apps in one spot. On my linux machine(s), I expect I will always have OpenOffice installed… but again, I use it very rarely.
I’m getting as tired as the next person of the constant, ubiquitous, stream of Google-worship… but they make the best web software there is. They were “web 2.0″ before it was a buzzword. They created the app (maps.google.com, or gmail, depending who you ask… maybe both) that popularized “Ajax” before the term “Ajax” was even coined. They are the kings of software on the web, at this point in time. Way to go, googlers.
